FIREFIGHTERS in Bolton are set to walk out on strike tomorrow in the latest action called over a long running dispute about pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union have called a 24 hour strike, which will start at 9am, in protest at government changes to pensions and their retirement age.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has urged the public to be extra vigilant, and to only call in case of true emergencies.

The service added that trained emergency fire crews will provide cover during the day.

The action is the latest in a series of strikes called by the union over the past 18 months.

Union officials say the government's reforms would lead to a harp increase in pension contributions, and that firefighters could lose their jobs if they cannot pass a fitness test as they approach retirement age.

Matt Wrack, the union's general secretary, said: "Firefighters in England are reluctantly calling further strike action as a direct result of the Westminster government’s failure to listen and negotiate over pensions.

"Firefighters are asking the Westminster government to immediately open genuine negotiations to resolve this dispute.

"We need to be clear. We are not going to give up or go away. Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair pensions deal – this dispute will not end as long as the regulations remain unchanged."

The union's most recent strike action was in November, over the weekend before Bonfire Night.

GMFRS urged the public to take extra care at home, in the workplace as well as on the roads, especially during the winter weather.

A statement on the fire service's website said: "We have recruited and trained Emergency Fire Crew to provide fire cover - an approach that we have deployed for some time now.

"But this will be a reduced service by comparison with our day-to-day service, with fewer engines attending a more limited range of incidents.

"We will be prioritising calls and we would urge people only to call us for true emergencies. Now more than ever you need to think about fire and road safety."